Proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase Akt1 (Akt1 (also PKBα))

Proto-oncogene serine/threonine-protein kinase Akt1, commonly abbreviated as Akt1 or PKBα (Protein kinase B alpha), is an enzyme in the AGC family of serine/threonine kinases. It is a central regulator of cellular signaling downstream of the PI3K pathway, integrating signals from growth factors, cytokines, and other membrane-bound ligands. Akt1 regulates diverse cellular processes, including cell growth, proliferation, survival, metabolic responses, and inhibition of apoptosis. Dysregulation and hyperactivation of Akt1 due to genetic mutations or upstream signaling abnormalities contribute to many human cancers and overgrowth diseases. Pharmacologic inhibitors targeting Akt1 are under investigation and clinical development for the treatment of cancers with aberrant PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. Akt1 activity and phosphorylation status can serve as biomarkers for pathway activation and patient selection in precision oncology.

Other names

AKT serine/threonine kinase 1RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinaseProtein kinase B alphaPKB alphaProto-oncogene c-AktRAC-PK-alphaPRKBA

Inhibition of kinase activity (blocks phosphorylation of downstream targets) Suppression of cell survival and proliferation signals Induction of apoptosis in tumor cells Downregulation of oncogenic PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway